Addressing machine



A ril -9, 1935. H. P. ELLIOTT ADDRESSING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 FiledApril 13, 1932 1%?0671702, W P M April 9, 1935, H. P. ELLIOTT ADDRESSINGMACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 13, 1932 April 9, 1935. H. P.ELLIOTT 1,996,954

ADDRESSING MACHINE Filed April 13, 1952 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 V 17 10922702.W 9 M April 9, 1935. H. P. ELLIOTT 1,996,954 ADDRESSING MACHINE FiledApril 15, 1932 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Q 6" i *jg' T-T". I J

1110621702. {FL-M M April 1935. H. P. ELLIOTT I 1,996,954

' ADDRESSING MACHINE Filed A ril 15, 1952 e Sheets-Sheet 5 A ril 9,1935. H P, ELUOTT 1,99 ,954

ADDRESSING MACHINE Filed April 13, 1932 I e Sheets-Shet s Patented Apr.9, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 38 Claims.

This invention relates to stencil printing or adressing machines.

One of the objects of the present invention is an improved machine forautomatically addressing envelopes. V

In an envelope addressing machine of the character of the presentinvention the stencils or address bearing devices are moved from aholder through printing position and fall into a receiver. The envelopesare moved from a holder into and out of printing position and fall intoa receiver. The location of the stencil and envelope holders andreceivers is a matter of considerable importance in providing a wellappearing machine having simple and accessible parts and arrangedwherein the printing operaticn can be watched; and in the presentinvention the stencil and envelope holders are arranged at opposite endsof the machine while the stencil and envelope receivers are located atthe opposite sides of the machine, with the stencils and envelopesmoving in the opposite direction into a common'printing positionandthence moving at right angles to theirprevious line of movement intotheir respective're'ceivers. Such an arrangement constitutes a furtherobject of the invention. g

It is quite common to utilize only a portion of the total number ofaddresses of a stencil collection and it is an object of the presentinvention to provide improved mechanism for effecting the printing ofselected addresses only on the envelopes and to move envelopes intoprinting osition only in accordance with selected stencils.

The operation of the printing mechanism is controlled by selectormechanism governed by the stencils, the stencils controlling thecompletion of an electric circuit that governs the selector mechanism.For some purposes it is desirable to effect the operation of theprinting mechanism when the electric circuit is made by the stencil andat other times to interrupt the printing operation when the. circuit isinterrupted by the stencil. It is an objectof the present inven tion toprovide a selector mechanism which not only controls the operation ofthe printing mecharsm but also of the envelope feeding mechanism andthat can be conditioned readily to operate as desired under bothconditions.

A further object is generally to improve the construction and operationof addressingv machines.

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of an addressing machine embodying thepresent invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the essential elements of the machine ofFig. 1. g

Fig. 3 is a section taken along line 3-3 ofv Fig. 2. l

Fig. 4 is an enlarged front elevation illu'strat- 5 ing in detail theenvelope feeding mechanism.- I Fig. 5 is a section taken along the line55 of Fig. 2, and illustrating the envelope feeding;

mechanism.

Fig. 6 is a section taken along line 66 of Fig. 5, and illustratingparticularly the envelope feeding drum. I

Fig. 7 is a sectional elevation taken along line ll of Fig. 2, andillustrating mechanism for moving the used stencils. toward the stencilreceiver. g

Fig. 8 is a detail of the stencil engaging mechanism of Fig. 7, but instencil free position; thereof. f

Fig. 9 is a perspective detail of the stencil track 20 construction atthe junction of the angularly related sections of the track. v

Fig. 10 is a perspective detail of the stencil moving member of Figs. 7and 8. V

Fig. 11 is an end View and Fig. 12 is'a side view ofthe electromagnetmechanism that controls the operation of the envelopefeeding drum.

Fig. 13 is a circuit diagram of the electromagnets that control theoperation of the selector mechanism and the envelope feed drum.

Fig. 14 is a front elevation of the control magnet :for the selectormechanism.

Fig. 15 is a plan detail of the cam actuated lever system for operatingthe envelope ejecting rolls.

Fig. 16 is a side elevation of the carriage envelope ejecting rolls.

Fig. 17 is a perspective View of a stencil that can be employed inconnection with the present invention.

The machine embodying the present invention comprises ahorizontal table20 supported at the top of a base or frame 22. A holder 24 for avertical stack of stencils 26 is located at one end of said table andextends upwardly thereabove. The successive lowermost stencils of thestack are moved from the stack by means of a reciprocatorypusher 28 ofmore or less usual construction and operated in more or less the usualmanner into and along the rails 30 and 32 of a track which extendshorizontally in spaced relation above the table toward the other endthereof and connects with other and right angularly disposed rails 30aand 320. which extend to the rear of the machine and guide the stencilsinto a position Where they 55 fall from the rails of the track into astencil receiver 34 located beneath the track. The stencils are or maybe rectangular in shape, as illustrated in Fig. 17, and are moved in thedirection of their length along the rails 30 and 32 into and out of aprinting position and thence in the direction of their width along therails 30a and 32a into the stencil receiver.

The pusher 28 is reciprocated to move the stencils from the holder intothe track by means of a link 38 which is located under the table 20 andis pivoted at one end to the pusher and at the other end to an arm 38 ofa vertical hub 40 which is oscillable on a vertical stud 42, see Figs. 1and 3. tended arm 44 that is located in a cam slot 46 formed in theupper extension of an arm 48 that is pivoted to a bracket 50 securedtothe table 20. The shape of the cam groove is such that when said arm 48is moved from a raised position into the lowered positionshown in Fig.3, a stencil is caused to be moved from the holder into and along thetrack. The arm 48 is actuated in more or less the usual manner by areciprocating connecting rod 52 from a power mechanism 54 that is nowwell known in the art, which mechanism has a shaft 58 that is drivencontinuously by means including the pulley 58.

The stencils are advanced in a step by'step manner through the printingposition and thence into the wide portion of the stencil track or intothe rails 30a, 32a. Separate mechanism is employed to move the stencilsin a step by step manner along the wide portion of the track and intothe stencil receiver. Said mechanism, illustrated more particularly inFigs. 2 and '7 through 10, includes a reciprocatory slide 60 which ishorizontally slidable in astationary guide member 82 that is disposedabove the rail 30a. Said slide carries a bracket64 which extends overthe wide portion of the track and has a shaft 60 journalled therein thatsupports a finger frame 68 having forwardly directed fingers I0. Saidframe can be lowered into position to engage the forward wide edge ofthe stencil and thereby move the stencil rearwardly along the widetrack. The finger frame can also be moved to an elevated position to befree from engagement with the stencils at the time'the slide 80 movesforwardly. It will be understood that in the present machine a stencilis advanced along the track at each cycle of operation of the machineand hence the fingers I0 are adapted to be in lowered position and toengage a stencil and move thestencil rearwardly at each rearward strokeof the finger frame. The

finger frame has a rearwardly extended arm I2 that is connected with atensile spring. I4 that tends to rotate the arm in a counterclockwisedirection to bring the fingers 70 in a lowered position to engage thestencils. The fingers I0 are raised and lowered by means including a barI6 which is extended horizontally over the frame parallel with the wideportion of the stencil track. The finger frame has an upwardly extendedarm -18 that carries a roller that rides upon the upper face of saidbar.Said bar is secured 'toa frame 82; see especially Figs. 2 and-4, that ishorizontally pivoted to a bracket 8-4 fixed to the left hand portion ofthe table. The bracket is raised and lowered in timed relation to themovement of stencils, not only for the purpose of controlling thepositions of the fingers I0 but also for effecting the positioning ofthe envelopes into printing position, as will presently appear. by meansincluding a shaft 86, see Figs. 1, 2, 4 and Said hub 40 has a laterallyex-- 5. Said shaft is journalled in brackets 88 and 90 beneath andtransversely of the table and is rotated in timed relation to thestencil movements. Said shaft at its forward end is provided with a cam92 which engages a roller 94 of an arm 98 that is secured to the frame82. The shape of the cam and its relation with the roller 94 is suchthat it causes said frame 82 and consequently the bar I8 to be loweredat the time the fingers 10 are above and forward of the front edge ofthe stencil. The slide 60 that reciprocates the fingers I0 is alsoreciprocated'in timed relation to the stencil movement in such manner asto bring the fingers into position in front of the successive stencilsin the wide portion of the track at the time the line of stencils in thenarrow portion of the'track isstationary and to move the stencils outofthe line of movement of the stencils in the narrow portion 'of the trackbefore said stencils are advanced. This movement of the stencils in thewide portion of the track is carried out at the time an envelope isbeing moved into printing position.

The reciprocating mechanism for the slide E0 includes a link 98 which ispivoted at its front end to the slide and at its rear end to the upperend of a lever I 00, which extends downwardly over the left hand end ofthe table and is pivoted on a pin I02 to the frame 22. The lower end ofthe lever is connectedby means of a connecting rod I04 to a crank armI08 fixed to a'shaft I08. Said shaft is journalled in an arnr IEO of theaforesaid bracket 90 at right angles to the shaft 86 and drives saidshaft by means of the miter gears H2. The shaft I08 is driven through asprocket H4 and a chain I I6, see especially Figs. 1 and 5, from a shaftII8 which isconnected through reduction gearing I20 with the shaft 58.The arrangement is such that the shafts 8B and I08 make one completerevolution for each cycle 2 of operation of the machine.

tencil printing mechanism is located at the printing position and-isillustrated particularly in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. Said mechanism includes aprinting-roll I22 which is rotatably mounted be:

tween the forked arms I24 of a bell crank lever I26 that is pivoted on ashaft I28 carried by the bracket 50. Said bell crank lever has adownwardly depending arm I30 that is pivotally connected through a linkI32 to an arm I34 that is pivoted at I36 to the bracket 50concentrically with the actuating arm 48. A platen 138 carried by apivoted frame I40 beneath .the printing roll I22 and the stencil trackand is movable upwardly tohold an envelope disposed beneath the 1 1'track into position to be engaged by a stencil therein. The platen isreciprocated by a cam arm I42 which is fixed to the arm I3 4. Thearrange ment is such that when said arm I34 is moved upwards in acounterclockwise direction, the platen and printing roll I22 are movedtoward each other. v

The arm I 34 is at times adapted to be connected with and at other timesdisconnected from the actuating arm 48 depending upon whether or not itis desired to print from the stencil that is the next to be moved intoprinting position. end the arm I34 has a latch member I44 pivotedthereto and extended upwardly thereabove. The

latch member has a detent I46 that is adapted to .1

enter a recess I48 of the arm 48 whereby to establish an operativeconnection between said arms 40 and I34. A spring I50 serves to urge thelatch member I44 into position for engagement with the arm 48. Selectormechanism presently to be de- To this scribed isprovided to: controlthev position. of the latch and to determine. whether ornot the printingmechanism is to be reciprocated after certain stencils have been'movedinto printing position.

The printing roll M22 is supplied. with inkv in more or less the usualmanner by mechanism I5! not herein necessary to describe;

The envelopes that are adapted to be addressed by the present machineare'contained in a verticalstack l 52,, see Fig. 1,.in an envelopeholder I54; Said envelope. holder isdisposedatitheleft hand end of thetable in line with the narrow portion of the stencil track and comprisesan upstanding front plate 56 and an opposed upstanding rear plate I58.The front plate I55 is provided with a horizontal-ear ltfi at the bottomthereof which slides upon a ledge I62 of the. table so that the platecan be moved forwardly and backwardly to adjust the holder for varioussizes of envelopes. The rear plate l58 is similarly providedv withahorizontal ear i ii that overlies andrides upon the ear 1%. The cars arelongitudinally slotted and a screw U56 passes through the slots in saidears and into the ledge 562 whereby to secure the plates releasably inadjusted position. A horizontal rod 162? extends loosely through theside plates above the bottom thereof and is adapted to support the stackof envelopes in an inciined position so that the frontedges thereof areagainst a va'tical guide plate Ht. Said plates 56 and I58 are providedwith parallel forward extensions H2 and 114 which constitute tracksalong which the envelope is guided into printing position, the trackl'i' i being behind the printing roll and being longer than the trackH2. The envelopes are moved into printing position and against anadjustable stop member H73. Said stop member has an arm $18 looselypivoted thereto at the rear end-and. adapted to bear by its weightagainst the successive envelopes as they are being moved forwardly outof printing position for the purpose of preventing the edge oftheenvelope that is adjacent the stop from moving" upwardly as theenvelope is ejected. The forward-edge of the stack of envelopes restsupon-a feed roll 98%, see more particularly Figs. 1, 2; 4, 5 and 6;Saidfeed roll is loosely mounted upon the shaft 65 and theupperflpcrtion of its periphery extends through an opening in the tableZiland into the lower portion of the envelope'holder. A portion of theperiphery of. the feed roll or drum is'occupied by a pair'of opposedcorrugated rubber bands i8! which are secured to the at the oppositeedges. thereof. The remaining peripheral portion of the'dr-um is smoothand is adapted to pass under the stack without withdrawing envelopestherefrom. The rubber hands when engaged with the stack of envelopes hassufiicient frictional en gag-ement therewith to move the successivelowermost envelopes out of'the stack and toward the printing position.The envelope feed drum is adapted to be stationary atthe time a stencilis passed through the printing position without printing therefrom.Hence the drum is provided with clutch mechanism for connecting it operativeiy with. the driving shaft 83. The clutch mechanism includes a discwt that is fixed. to the shaft 86 and has a notch m8 in its periphery.The drum 189 has a latch arm 88 pivotedon a pin iQii fixed to the web ofthedruin, the arm being urged by a spring I92 constantly towardengagement with the periphery of the disc 84. The latch arm has a detentI51 that can enter the notch #88 and therebyestablish drivingconnections between the drum and the shaft. When to prevent the feedingof an envelope.

theidetent 594 is out; of the notch the disc can rotate independentlyof. the drum and the-drum is, held stationary by a brake member I96.that frictionally. engagesthe periphery of the drum; The drivingengagement between the arm I 88. a11d the disc it is controlled bymechanismwhich in turn is governed by: the stencils in such manner thata stencilwhich is, to be. passed through the printing position withoutbeing printed therefrom disengages the arm and disc so that the shaft86' can rotate; whilethe drum is stationary and hence Said mechanismincludes a clutch tripping rod Hi8 hieh is horizontally slidable in thebracket. 9.0. in one direction-toward the drum to position its .in;-

end between the disc 18d. and the latchzarm In this position therotation. of. the drum and the arm causes a cam portion 28%? of the armto ride over the end of the. pin I98 and thereby move "the latch armoutwardly to disengage it from the driving disc, 1M, whereupon thefeeddrum becomes stationary. This-stationary position of the drum isillustrated in Fig. 4, where the ends of the envelope driving bands H82are just in position to engage the lowermost envelope of the stack whenthe drum is again advanced. Therod let. is slidable in the oppositedirection out of position between the latch arm I83 and the disc [86whereby to permit the latch arm to move inwardly so. that the detent.I94 rides upon the periphery of the disc and ultimately drops into thenotch i 88 thereof to establish the driving connection between the discand the drum.

The movements of the rod 98 are controlled;

at will, by either one of independently operable clectrornagnets 2532and 28 which are mounted upon .a bracket 2% securedv to the underside ofthe table at the rear portion thereof. An. armature 298 overlies bothelectromagnets andis pivotally mounted in between them, the armaturebeing loose on a shaft 2H3 which is carried by a supporting structure212. The armature has a bifurcated extension 2H5 at one end in which thenotched portion 256 of the tripping rod I98 is loosely received.Movement of the armature in a counterclockwise direction serves to movethe rod 198 into a clutch disengaged position and or holds the controlcircuit open, as desired. One

of the eleetromagnets, asthe electromagnet 204. is arrangc-id toestablish connection between the driving shaft 36 and the envelope feeddrum: iBil when the control circuit is completed whereby to permit. thefeeding of the envelope into printing position. The other el-ectromagnet202 is arranged to establish driving connections between the shaft anddrum, and the consequentfeeding of an envelope when the control circuitis open andto break the driving connect-ion and prevent the feeding. ofan envelope when the control circuit is closed. the purpose of selectingwhichever electromagnet is desired for operating the armature Zi-ip Saidmechanism. includes a hand operated armv 218 which is carried by thepivot shaft 2H3 and. located in a slot 22s of the armature. Anovercent-er spring 222 is connected to the arm. M8 to holdqthe armeither in the position shown in Mechanism is provided for Fig. 12, 01'in a similar position on the otherside of the center of the shaft2I0, asdesired. The

arm 2 I8 in the position shown in Fig. 12 engages one side wall of theslot 220 so that the spring 222 holds the armature against theelectromagnet 204 and away from the electromagnet 202. Hence when theelectromagnet 202 is energized the armature is attracted thereto againstthe pull of the spring and consequently moves the tripping rod I98 in aposition to disengage the clutch mechanism and prevent the feeding of anenvelope. When the electromagnet 202 is unenergized the clutch mechanismis engaged and the envelope feed drum rotates continuously with itsdrive shaft'86 so that successive envelopes are fed out of the envelopeholder, the feeding of envelopes being interrupted only at times whenthe electromagnet 202 is energized. When the arm 2 I8 is in the oppositeposition the armature 208 is held against the electromagnet 202 and awayfrom theelectromagnet 204. In this position the tripping rod I98normally holds the clutch disengaged and the clutch is engaged only whenthe electromagnet 204 is energized.

The successive envelopes are not moved completely into printing positionby the feed drum I80 but only sufficiently toward the printing positionto be engaged by a pair of feed rolls 224 and 226, see especially Figs.1, 2 and 4, which are disposed close to andin front of the outer rail ofthe narrow portion of the track, and which rolls advance the envelopesinto the printing position. The lower feed roll 224 is an idler rollandis journalled in a bracket 228 that is secured to the underpart ofthe table and extends upwardly through an opening therein. The upperfeed roll 226 is continuously driven and is fixed to a shaft 230 that isjournalledin the aforesaid bracket 82. As has been previously describedthe bracket 82 is reciprocated in a vertical direction by the arm 96 andcam 92 for the purpose of controlling the movement of the stencils alongthe wide portion of the track. This reciprocatory movement of the frame82 also moves the roll 226 toward and away from the idler roll 224whereby to control the advancing of an envelope between said rolls. Whensaid frame 82 is in a lowered position the roll 226 is in position tobear upon an envelope thereunder and to move the envelope into printingposition. The movements of the frame 82 are so timed that envelopes arefed into printing position before the completion of the printingmovement of the platen and printing roll. The feed roll 226 is adaptedto have a greater peripheral speed than that of the feed drum I80whereby to move the envelopes rapidly in printing position. The roll 226is driven by suitable means as the chain 232 which is' passed over asprocket 234 fixed to the shaft 236. The chain passes over an idlerpulley 236 and also over a slack take-up roll 238 joumalled ona springurged arm 240 and about a driving sprocket 242 that is fixed to a hub244, see especially Fig. 5, that is loose on the shaft 86. The hub 244has a pulley 246 fixed thereto which is driven by a belt 248 from apulley250 fixed to the shaft 56. The roll 226 need not rotate in anytimed relation with other elements of the machine so that the chain 232can be replaced by a belt or other driving means if desired.

After the printing operation has been effected the envelope that isdisposed in printing position is adapted to be removed or ejectedtherefrom toward the front of the machine along a line parallel with theguiding edge of the stop member I16. The ejector mechanism, seeespecially Figs. 1, 2 and 4, comprises a pair of continuously rotat ingfeed rolls 252 which are disposed in front of the printing roll I22 andare fixed to a drive shaft 254 journalled in brackets 256 carried by thefront track 32. Said shaft 254 is rotated continuously by a belt 258that is passed over a pulley260 of said shaft and also over a pulley 262of a jack shaft rotatably supported in the lower portion of the base ofthe machine and driven by a belt 264 from a second jack shaft 266 whichin turn is driven through a belt268 from the shaft 56 of the powermechanism. The continuously rotating rolls 252 cooperate with a pair ofidler rolls 210 that are loosely journalled in upstanding arms 212 of aslide 280, which slide is vertically reciprocable in a bracket 282, seeespecially Figs. 4, 15 and 16. Movements of the slide are controlled bya lever system including an arm 284 which is fixed to the inner end ofthe shaft 286 journalled in arms of the aforesaid bracket 228.v Said arm284 overlies the rear face of the slide 280 and has a1ongitudinallyelongated slot 288 therein in which a roller 290 of the slide 280 islocated so that reciprocatory movement of said arm 284 in a verticaldirection causes the raising and lowering of the slide. A spring 292 isconnected with said arm 284 and serves to maintain the slide 280yieldingly inun elevated position or in cooperative relation with thecontinuously rotating driving rolls 252. An arm 294 is fixed to thefront end of the shaft 286 and has a cam roller 296 thereon which is inengagement with a cam 298 fixed to the drive shaft 86. The cam is soarranged as to effect the raising and lowering of the slide 280 atsuitable periods. When theroller 296 is opposite the depressed portion300 of the camthe spring 292 urges the slide upwardly and therebypresses any envelope that may be thereabove against the feed rolls 252so that the addressed envelope is ejected forwardly out of printingposition and, if desired, into a suitable receptacle 302 that liesmainly below the table. velopes is timed to take place after the platenand printing roll have released the envelope and prior to the movementof a new envelope in a printing position. i

It has been stated heretofore that selector mechanism controlled by thestencils is provided so that unwanted stencils,'that are automaticallylocated, can pass through the machine without being printed therefrom.Said selector mechanism is illustrated particularly in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and14. Said mechanism includes a selector frame 304which is disposed aboveand is reciprocable toward and away from the narrow portion of the trackat one side of the printing position and is fixed to a shaft 306journalled in a bracket 308 carried by and electrically insulated fromthe table. Said selector frame can carry one or more selector pins 3 I 0which when the frame is lowered can make electrical contact with one orthe other of the electrically grounded tracks 30, 32, if the stencils 26have passages 3I2, see Fig. 17, therethrough that are aligned with oneor more of the selector pins at the time the selector frame is, moveddownwardly. The arrangement can be such as to effect; the printing ofthe stencil that permits a selector pin to move through a passage 3I2and electrically engage the track; and it can also be such as to preventthe printing operation of the machine on the stencil that permits theelectrical contact between a selector pin and the track. The selectormechanism, like the envelope feeding mechanism heretofore described, iscaill cated bya link3l4 which "is pivotally connected to, but iselectrically insulated from, an upstanding arm Silt of the shaft 336.Said link is also pivotally connected at its rear end to an upstandingarm 3. 8 of a shaft 320 which is journalled-in a bracket and has adepending arm 323 that extends through a passage in the table andterminates in a cam roller 326 that is disposed at one side of theupwardly extending projection 328 of the reciprocating arm 43, and ismaintained in engagement with a cam face 333 of saidarm. Said cam faceis so arranged that, at the upper portion of thestroke of said arm 43,the arm 324 is permitted to move ina counterclockwise direction wherebyto move the selector frame downwardly to feel the stencil therebeneathand thereby determine whether or not a printing operation shall beeffected on such stencil. The selector mechanism includes a frame 332which is pivoted at to the bracket 322 and has a depending arm 336provided with an extension 333 that overlies a roller Mil carried by theupper end of the latch arm I, which arm as has beenexplained, controlstheconnection between the arm tiland the printing mechanism.- Said frame332 is urged by a spring 342 for movementin a clockwise direction topermit the engagement of the latch arm M lwith the actuating arm 88. Theframe 332 has an upwardly extended detent arm 333 that has opposed upperand lower detents 33.8 andt ill respectively that lie on opposite sidesof a latch member 358. Said latch member 353 is carried reversibly by anarm 352 that is loose onthe shaft 322i]. When the latch member 353 is inthe position shown it is capable of engagement with the upper detent 348and in such position conditions the mechanism to effect a printingoperation on a stencil that does not permit contact to be made between aselector pin and the track. When the latch member 359 is inverted and isin position to engage the lower detent 348 the arrangement is such thata printing operation is effected on the stencil that. permits contact tobe made between a selector pin and the track. Vv'hen the latch member isfree from the upper detent 348 it can drop. a

The latch member is raised and lowered by means of a lever 354 which ispivoted intermediate its ends at 353 to the bracket 322 and one end ofwhich lies beneath the latch member 35t'and the other end of whichcarries an armature 358. Said armature is moved downwardly intoattracted positionby an electromagnet 35 t whereby to elevate the latch355i; and the armature moves upwardly into released position by theweight of the other end of the lever. The electromagnet 35D is in thecircuit of the track and the selector pi so that it is energizedwhenconnection is established between a pin and the track. Theelectromagnets "26-2 and 204 that control the operation of the envelopefeeding mechanism can be connected inseries with the selector pincircuit but preferably are controlled through a separate circuit by theenergization of the electromagnet 330, which magnet acts as a relay forthe circuit of the envelope feed control magnets. .To this end thearmature 353 carries an insulated movable contact member 332-whichcooperates with the insulated stationary contact membertiit that is inthe circuit of the aforesaid magnets. The'circuit'connections areillustrated inFig. ,13 andneed not be explained in detail.

Current for actuating the electromagnets can be derived from any sourceas the transformer .365. A double throw switch 353 is providedforselectively and separately connecting the electromagnets 202 and 2Mvin .th'eircontrol circuit.

The frame 333 is provided with a forwardly di- 1 rected arm 3W thathasalatch roller .312 thereon that cooperates .with'a cam face 3'24 ofthe actuat :ing armilt... Whensaid arm is moving upwardly the cam facecauses the irame 332 to move in a counterclockwise direction sothat-the. detent t lt :is disengaged from the. latch Imember .359 whichthen can. drop if the electromagnet 3.631s notenergized. vIf this is thecase, whenthe arm 25 moves downwardly so that the cam 3' moves away fromthe roller 3ft 2 the spring 3.42 willithen move-the frame in a clockwisedirection; away from the latch arm: its so that':said latch, arm canengage the actuating v'armbil, and, on the nextupwardistroke of saidarm, erl ectthe printingoperation. Thecam 3Y4 rotates the frame 332 in acounterclockwise direction, or into a position where the latch member M4is disengaged, at each. upward stroke of the arm ,48, and .the latchmember 3551 in, the electromagnet deter: mines whether or not theuframewill .be held in such position to hold the latch member 14.4 out ofengagement. cams 3,33 and 31.4 is such that the selector frame is inlowered position and hence acontact is made if one is toibe made and theelectromagnet 360 is energized at the time the cam- 31.4 is .passingoutfrom under the roller 3,72 and permitting the frame 332 to move in a.clockwise direction. ,If the circuit is closed and-themagnet isenergizedieue t ste ci he c mm ene 3138 wi not 1 be J energized and the latchmember. 350 will notbe raised and hence the frame 332 is free to m e aclockwise d e t o and .pe mittbe engagement of the latchmember i 44andthereby 5. T? the n n q r qn- ,w written membe r ii till isiinvertedso that it engages the detent34d 1e arrangement is such thata printingoperati -is efiectedwhenthe control circuit through the stenciliscompleted, Under these conditionswhen the selector frame is lowered anda selector pirr3lt passes through a passage 3l,2 of the stencil 'the'electromagne't 36!] becomes energized and raises the latch membertremengag'ement of the detent 348 so that the. frame 332 is free to movein acounter'clockwisedirection and permit a printing operationsubsequently to take place. If the electromagneumt isnotjenergizedthe'latch member 35!! remains in engage ment with thedetent 348 so that no printing operation takes place. I claim: 7

LA stencil printing machine comprising reciprocating printing mechanismoperativefon- The arrangement between the velopes stationary for theaction of said printing mechanism, andother means also operative betweenthe periods of operation of said printing mechanismto advance successiveaddressed en-- velopes' in another direction out and away from theaction of said printing mechanism.

2. A stencil printing machine comprising advancing means to advancesuccessive unaddressed envelopes in one direction toward said printingmechanism and other means to advance the addressed envelopes in anotherdirection away from said printing mechanism.

3. A stencil printing machine comprising a table, printing mechanismlocated in the middle of the table, a stencil track having an initialpart extended from one end of the table through the printingmechanism-and another part extended at right angles to the initial partand toward the rearof the table, means for advancing successive stencilsalong the first portion of said track through the printing mechanism,other means to advance the used stencils along the right angularlyrelated portion of the track, an envelope guideway extended parallel tothe initial part of said stencil track, means for advancing successiveenvelopes to said printing mechanism along said guideway in adirectionopposite to the line of advance of the stencils to said printingmechanism and means for advancing the addressed envelopes at rightangles to their initial line of movement and toward the front of saidtable.

4. A stencil printing machine comprising a table, reciprocating printingmechanism located .in the middle of the table, separate envelope andstencil holders disposed above the table on opi posite sides of and inline with said printing mechanism, and separate stencil and envelopereceivers located below the table and respectively at the rear and frontthereof and into which the stencils and envelopes fall by gravity,separate guiding and advancing means to advance successive stencils inangularly-related paths from said stencil holder through said printingmechanism and into said stencil receiver, and separate guiding andadvancing means to advance successive envelopes in separate ones of twoangularly-related paths from said envelope holder through said printingmechanism and into the entrance of said envelope receiver.

5. A stencil'printing machine including printing mechanism, a stenciltrack having two angularly related sections, means to advance successivestencils along one section of said track and through said printingmechanism to the entrance to the other section thereof, and meansreciprocating lengthwise of said second portion of said track forengaging and advancing the stencils therealong, wherein means isprovided that alternately moves said reciprocating stencil advancingmeans into and out of stencil engaging position.

6. A stencil printing machine including printing mechanism, a stenciltrack having two angularly-related sections, means to advance successive stencils along one section of said track and through said printingmechanism to the entrance to the other section thereof, meansreciprocable lengthwise of said second section of said track foradvancing the stencils therealong, and means forholdingsaid stenciladvancingmean's out of engagement with a stencil during one partof thereciprocatory movement thereof and for moving it into position to engagea stencil during, its reciprocatory movement in the opposite direction.

7. A stencil printing machine including a stencil track havingangularly-related sections, means formoving successive stencils alongone section of the track into the other section, and mechanism foradvancing stencils along said other section comprising a memberreciprocable lengthwise of said other section, a finger frame carried bysaid member overlying said other section and having fingers which areengageable with the successive stencils, and means for raising andlowering said finger frame in correspondence with reciprocatorymovements thereof in opposite directions.

8. A stencil printing machine as defined in claim 7 wherein said frameraising and lowering means includes a pivoted frame which is engageablewith said finger frame, and means including a cam that is rotated intimed relation with the reciprocatory movements of said finger frame forraising and lowering said pivoted frame. l

9. A stencil printing machine comprising reciprocating printingmechanism adapted to oper-,

ate upon successive stencils and envelopes, when they are stationary insaid mechanism, means for in, and other means operable for moving theaddressed envelopes out of said printing mechanism including guidingmeans for guiding the addressed envelopes to move at approximately rightangles to their movement into the printing mechanism.

10. A stencil printing machine comprising reciprocating printingmechanism adapted to operate upon successive stencils and envelopes whenthey are stationary in said mechanism, separate mechanisms for movingsuccessive stencils and envelopes intermittently and separately into theaction of said printing mechanism and for leaving them momentarilystationary therein and including separate guideways which direct thestencils and envelopes into said printing mechanism, means for movingthe addressed envelopes independently of the stencils away from theaction of said printing mechanism and including a guideway along whichthe addressed envelopes are, directed at approximately right angles totheir movement into said printing mechanism.

11. A stencil printing machine comprising reciprocating mechanism, meansfor advancing stencils in successive order intermittently through andleaving them momentarily stationary in said printing mechanism duringthe printing opera; tion, other means for advancing successive envelopesindependently of the stencils into the action of said printing mechanismand for leaving them momentarily stationary therein during the printingoperation, and means independent of said envelope advancing means andsaid stencil advancing means for removing the addressed envelopes fromsaid printing mechanism.

12. A stencil printing machine comprising reciprocating printingmechanism, intermittently operative meansfor presenting successivestenoils to the action of said printing mechanism at times when thestencils are stationary, and means for presenting successive envelopesintermittently to the action of said printing mechanism at times whenthe envelopes are stationary comprising an envelope holder, means forremoving successive envelopes from said holder, intermittently operatingmeans for engaging the removed envelopes and advancing them into theaction of said printing mechanism and for leaving them in stationarycondition and other intermittently operating means for engaging theprinted envelopes and removing them from the action of said printingmechanism independently of the stencils;

13. A stencil printing machine comprising printing mechanism, means forpresenting successive stencils to the action of said printing mechanism,and means for presenting successive envelopes to the action of saidprinting mechanism comprising an envelope holder, means for removingsuccessive envelopes from said holder, intermittently operating meansfor engaging the removed envelopes and advancing them into the action ofsaid printing mechanism, a guideway which directs the line of advance ofthe envelopes, and other intermittently operating means for engaging theprinted envelopes and removing them from the action of said printingmechanism including a guideway angularly related to said first guidewaythat directs the envelopes to advance in a direction that is difierentfrom the direction of advance of the unprinted envelop-es toward saidprinting mechanism.

14. In a stencil printing machine having intermittently operatingprinting mechanism, and means for presenting successive stencils to theaction. of said printing mechanism, the combination therewith of meansfor presenting s ccessive envelopes to the action of said printingmechanism and stencils comprisingan envelope holder, a continuouslyrotating extractor drum for removing successive envelopes from saidholder,

intermittently operable feed rolls for engaging the removed stencils andfor presenting them to the action of said printing mechanism, otherintermittently operable feed rolls for engaging the addressed envelopesand for removing them from the action of said printing mechanism, andmeans for operating said sets of feed rolls at times when said printingmechanism is idle. l

15. A stencil printing machine comprising reciprocating printingmechanism, a stencil track along which successive stencils are guidedfor movement into and out of the action of said printing mechanism, saidtrack having two angularly-related straight portions, separate means formoving the stencils along different portions of said track at differenttimes, and means for presenting a succession of envelopes to the actionof said printing mechanism at times when stencils are advancing alongone portion of said track and are stationary in another portion thereof.

16. A stencil printing machine comprising printing mechanism, means forpresenting successive stencils to the action of said printing mechanism,means for presenting successive envelopes to the action of said printingmechanism and stencils including a pair of cooperating driving and idlerrolls which are engageable with the successive-envelopes to advance theminto said printing mechanism, means including a cam which rotates intimed relation with the movement of said stencils for controlling thedriving engagement of said'drivi-ng and idler rolls with the envelopes,other driving and idler rolls engageable with the addressed envelopesfor removingthem from the printing mechanism, and means including a camoperating in timed relation with said first named cam for controllingthe engagement of said last named driving and idler rolls with theaddressed envelopes.

17. A stencil printing machine as defined in claim 16 wherein the rollsof both sets of driving and idler rolls are movable toward and away fromeach other into and out of driving engagement with the envelopes, andwherein said cams control such movements.

18. A stencil printing machine comprising printing mechanism, means forpresenting successive stencils to the action of said printing mechanism,means for presenting successive en-- velopes to the action of saidprinting mechanism and stencils including a pair of cooperdriving andidler rolls which are engageahle with the successive envelopes toadvance them into said printing mechanism, meansineluding a cam whichrotates in timed relation with the movement of said stencils forcontrolling the driving engagement of said driving and idler rolls withthe envelopes, other driving and idler rolls engageable with theaddressed envelopes for removing them from the printing mechanism, andmeans including a cam. operating in timed relation with said first namedcam for controlling the engagement of said last named driving and idlerrolls with the addressed envelopes, said last named rolls being arrangedto move the envelopes out of said printing mechanism in a direction thatis different from the direction ofmovement of the envelopesinto saidprinting mechanism.

19. A stencil printing machine including manner along separate ones oftwo angularly rate means for simultaneously advancing suecessiveenvelopes and stencils in different directions toward and into saidprinting mechanism, and angularly related guidewaysfor guiding themovements of said stencils and envelopes in said difierent directions.

21. A stencil printing machine comprising reciprocating printingmechanism adapted to operate upon a succession of stencils andenvelopes,

separate means for advancing successive stern cils into and out of saidprinting mechanism,-

means for advancing successive envelopes into the action of saidprinting mechanism,and other means for removing the addressed envelopesfrom said printing mechanism, one of said envelope ad.- vancing meanshaving means which when started in operation conditions one of saidstencil advancing means for operation.

22. A stencil printing machine comprising reciprocating printingmechanism adapted toopcrate upon a succession of stencils and envelopes,

(ill

means for advancing successive stencils into said printing mechanism,means for removing successive stencils from said printing mechanism, andmeans for advancingsuccessive envelopes toward said printing mechanism,said envelope advancing means having means for controlling the operationof said stencil removing means.

23. A stencil printing machine comprising a stencil track, printingmechanism disposed in operative relation with the stencils insaid'track, means for introducing successive stencils into said track,other means for advancing successive stencils along a portion of saidtrack, and means including a reciprocating frame for advancingsuccessive envelopes to the action of said printing mechanism,reciprocating frame having means for controlling the operation of saidstencil advancing means.

24. A stencil printing machine comprising a stencil track, printingmechanism disposed in cooperative relation with the stencils in saidtrack, means for advancing a stencil along at least a portion of saidtrack; comprising a member capable of reciprocating lengthwise of saidportion,

a finger carried by said member movable into and out of engagement withthe stencils in the track, and means for advancing successive envelopesto wards said printing mechanism including a reciprocating envelope feedroll carrier which has means engageable with said stencil advancingfinger for moving it into and out of stencil engaging position.

ZS/A stencil printing machine comprising a stencil tract: having adischarge section that is angularly r ed tot-he portion of said track,prin mechanism disposed for cooperative relation with the stencils inthe main portion of the track, means for advancing stencils along saidangnlarlyrelated discharge section comprising a me-.iber capable ofreciprocation lengthwise of said section, a finger frame pivotallycarried by said reciprocatory member and disposed said track section andhaving fingers which are engageahle with the successive stencils in thetrack for advancing them along said section, means for advancingsuccessive envelopes to the action of said printing mechanism'comprising a feed roller which is adapted to engage the successiveenvelopes to advance them towards said printing mechanism, and areciprocating frame stencil track having a discharge section that isangularly-related to the main portion of said tracl ,.printing mechanismdisposed for cooperative relation with the stencils in the main portionof the track, means for advancing stencils along said angularly-relateddischarge section comprising a member capable of reciprocationlengthwise of said section, a finger frame pivotally carried by saidreciprocatory member and disposed above said track section and havingfingers which are engageable with the successive stencils in the trackfor advancing them along said section, means for advancing successiveenvelopes to the action of said printing mechanism comprising a feedroller which is adapted to engage the successive envelopes toadvancethem towards said printing mechanism, a reciprocating cating frame andsaid reciprocating member in timed relation.

27. A stencil printing machine comprising a stencil track, means foradvancing stencils along said track, printing mechanism disposed for 00-operative relation with the stencils in said track,

and mechanism for presenting successive 'en' velopes to the action ofsaid printing mechanism and stencils comprising separate mechanismsoperating in timed sequence and in timed relation to the operation ofsaid printing mechanism for advancing said envelopes towards said printing mechanism and for removing the addressed envelopes away from saidprinting mechanism, one of said separate envelope advancing mechanismshaving means which controls the operation of said stencil advancingmeans.

28. A printing machine comprising reciprocating printing elements, meansfor presenting successive envelopes to and for removing them from theaction of said printing elements comprising an envelope holder, a drumengageable with the successive lowermost envelopes in said holder foradvancing them therefrom, intermittently advancing and separating feedrolls disposed between said envelope holder and printing elements foradvancing successive envelopes from said drum into the action'of saidprinting elements, and other intermittently advancing and separatingfeed rolls disposed in front of said printing elements for moving theaddressed envelopes away from the action of said printing elements at anangle to the direction of advance of the stencils of the envelopesthereto.

29. A printing machine comprising reciprocating printing elements, meansfor presenting successive envelopes to and for removing them from theaction of said printing elements comprising an envelope holder, a drumengageable with the successive lowermost envelopes in said holder foradvancing them therefrom, intermittently advancing and separating feedrolls disposed between said envelope holder and printing elements foradvancing successive envelopes from said drum into the action of saidprinting elements, other intermittently advancing and separating feedrolls disposed in front of said printing elements for moving theaddressed envelopes away from the action of said printing elements at anangle to the direction of advance of the stencils of the envelopesthereto, and cam means for ad vancing and separating said sets-0f feedrolls in timed sequence.

30. A stencil printing machine comprising printing mechanism, operatingmechanism for said printing mechanim having a disengageable connectiontherewith, means for advancing a succession of stencils through saidprinting mechanism, means for advancing a succession of envelopesthrough said printing mechanism includ .ing a rotary feeding memberwhich is engageable with the envelopes, a driving member for said rotaryfeeding member having a disengageable connection therewith, andelectrical means un der control of the stencils for separately butsimultaneously disengaging said disengageable connections for disablingsaid printing mechanism and the operation of said rotary feeding member.

31. A stencil printing machine comprising printing mechanism, operatingmechanism therefor having a breakable connection therewith, means foradvancing a succession of stencils through said printing mechanism,means for advancing a succession of envelopes'through said printingmechanism including a rotary feed drum which is engageable with theenvelopes to advance them, a drive shaft for said drum having abreakable connection therewith, and means controlled by the stencils forcontrolling the conditions of both of said breakable connections.

32. A stencil printing machine comprising printing mechanism,reciprocating means for advancing a succession of stencilsintermittently through said printing mechanism, means for advancing asuccession of envelopes through said printing mechanism including arotary feed drum which is engageable with the successive envelopes, afeeding roll which is reciprocable toward and away from the envelopesadvanced by said feed drum in timed relation with the advance of saidstencils for advancing the envelopes into the action of said printingmechanism, a drive shaft for said feed drum having a breakableconnection therewith, and means under control of said stencils formaking and breaking said breakable connection.

33. A stencil printing machine comprising printing mechanism havingdisabling means, means for advancing a succession of stencils throughsaid printing mechanism, means for advancing a succession of envelopesthrough said printing mechanism including a rotary feed drum which isengageable with the successive envelopes, a drive shaft for rotatingsaid drum having a breakable connection therewith, means including anelectromagnet controlling said breakable connection, and selectormechanism controlled by said stencils for controlling both theenergization of said electromagnet and the operation of said printingmechanism disabling means.

34. In a stencil printing machine having printing mechanism, means foradvancing a succession of stencils through said printing mechanism, andselector mechanism controlled by said stencils for controlling theoperation of said printing mechanism, the combination therewith of meansfor advancing a succession of envelopes through said printing mechanism,means including a plurality of electromagnets for controlling theoperation of said envelope advancing means, and means for energizing aselected one of either of said electromagnets under control of saidselector mechanism.

35. In a stencil printing machine having printing mechanism, means foradvancing a succession of stencils through said printing mechanism,selector mechanism controlled by said stencils for controlling theoperation of said printing mechanism, the combination therewith ofmechanism for advancing successive envelopes through said printingmechanism including an envelope feeding drum, a drive shaft thereforhaving a breakable connection therewith, a plurality of gization of-allof which is controlled vby said sef lector mechanism, and 'meansoperable at will for selecting a particular one of all of saidelectromagnets for control by said selector mechanism.

36. In a stencil printing machine having print ing mechanism, means foradvancing a succession of stencils through said printing mechanism, andselector mechanism controlled by said stencils for controlling theoperation of said printing mechanism, the combination therewith ofmechanism for advancing successive envelopes through said printingmechanism comprising an envelope feeding drum, a drive shaft thereforhaving a breakable connection therewith, a control member for saidbreakable connection, a pair of electromagnets controlled by saidselector mechanism v arranged to move said control member in oppositedirections when energized, and means operable at will for selecting aparticular electromagnet for control by said selector mechanism.

3'7. In a stencil printing machine having print-' ing mechanism, meansfor advancing a succession of stencils through said printing mechanism,selector mechanism controlled by said stencils for controlling theoperation of said printing mechanism, the combination therewith ofmechanism movable in one direction to make said connection and in theopposite direction to break said connection, a pivoted armature forreciprocating said control member, a control frame having an over-.center spring which is movable across the pivot of said armature intoopposite positions where it holds said armature yieldingly into aselected one of two opposite positions, electromagnets operating on saidarmature on opposite sides of the pivot thereof for actuating saidarmature, and means for selecting a particular one of saidelectromagnets for control by said selector mechanism.

38. In a stencil printing machine having printing mechanism, means foradvancing a succession of stencils through said printing mechanism,selector mechanism controlled by said stencils for controlling theoperationtof said printing mechanism, mechanism for advancing asuccession of envelopes through said printing mechanism including anenvelope feeding drum, a drive shaft therefor having a breakableconnection there- 'with, a control member movable in opposite directionsto control the condition of said breakable connection, an armaturemovable in opposite directions for correspondingly moving said control,oppositely acting electromagnets cooperating separately with saidarmature to move it in opposite directions, and a frame having anovercenter spring engageable with said armature to hold it against aselected one of said electro-

